Meet our new Co-Executive Directors!
Philadelphia, PA: CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia — a dynamic nonprofit organization that provides equitable access to management resources for arts, culture, heritage, and social justice projects — is pleased to announce Ariel Shelton and Melinda Steffy as the organization’s new Co-Executive Directors, effective immediately. Shelton and Steffy bring a combined 40 years of experience as arts and cultural administrators to their new positions.
"Championing the outstanding efforts of our 80 current projects — innovative and unique causes that bring joy, education, immersive experiences, and economic vitality to the city — is work that I am excited to pursue in this new co-leadership model," Shelton shared. "I am committed to mobilizing necessary resources to amplify the value of fiscal sponsorship, enhance our capacity to support our members, and elevate the cultural contributions that this robust organization and its vibrant network bring to the community."
“For me, this period of pandemic disruptions and social upheavals, which have deeply affected the cultural sector, represents an opportunity to reshape and reimagine what's possible,” added Steffy. “Systems reinvention has always been at the core of CultureWorks, and I’m looking forward to continuing that commitment by finding new ways to foster abundance and collective well-being, making it possible for creative practitioners and communities to thrive. This new shared leadership model, at the board and staff levels, represents the organization's deeply held values around empathy, equity, and resource-sharing. Both Ariel and I are artists as well as nonprofit administrators, and we bring a breadth of experience to shape the next chapter of CultureWorks.”
“As a long-time member of CultureWorks, I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Ariel and Melinda in this new stage of our journey. I am extremely proud of all the work done by our board and staff to get us ready for this transformative moment.”
Founded in 2010, CultureWorks’ philosophy centers on sharing and leveraging resources to overcome barriers to artistic and cultural expression, particularly for historically marginalized communities. This ethos shapes their services and co-working space management, where members benefit from a collaborative, creative environment. Members of CultureWorks are able to access a shared workspace, consulting support, fiscal sponsorship, and management services, including legal tools, essential insurances, finance, HR support, bookkeeping software, and donor/grant management. Over the past 14 years, CultureWorks has served 180 projects representing the breadth of Philadelphia’s diverse cultural community, and supported more than 850 co-working members.
Shelton and Steffy have already begun several initiatives to uplift CultureWorks members and the Greater Philadelphia arts and culture ecosystem, including:
Refocusing as a member-first organization: listening to and learning from CultureWorks members to reimagine the breadth and depth of the organization's offerings.
Providing a next level of services that will enhance members' fundraising, marketing, business development, and more, and serving as a hub for grassroots projects across arts, culture, heritage, and social justice sectors.
Building a robust co-leadership model that serves as a case study. This approach to nonprofit leadership is inherently collaborative and non-hierarchical and helps others reimagine how their organizational structure can be more equitable and community-rooted.
Celebrating and advocating for the work of CultureWorks members as Philadelphia gears up for pinnacle events in 2026, like the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, to cultivate greater regional, national, and international presence for members.
“Ariel and Melinda’s collaborative vision, powered by their outstanding individual talents and cooperative leadership, will enable CultureWorks to better serve our members and strengthen the foundations of the arts, cultural, creative, and heritage communities of the Greater Philadelphia region.”
Co-Executive Director, External Relations + Community Impact
Melinda Steffy
Co-Executive Director, Membership + Development Strategy
Join us for an exciting Meet & Greet event at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia! This special gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th, from 4pm to 6pm.
The event gives you a chance to engage in meaningful conversations with the people at the forefront of our city's cultural scene. You'll have the opportunity to network with members of CultureWorks, interact with a diverse group of arts and culture entities, and connect with other professionals passionate about the cultural vibrancy of our city. You will also get a chance to meet the organization's new Co-Executive Directors, Melinda Steffy and Ariel Shelton.
Whether you're an artist, a cultural practitioner, a member of an arts organization, or simply a supporter of the arts in Philadelphia, this event promises to be a fertile ground for collaboration, inspiration, and community building.